Associated Press
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Tenth-ranked Wisconsin comes into Saturday's game at No. 5 Purdue with a score to settle.
Last year, then-No. 13 Purdue went into Camp Randall and squeaked out a 26-23 win over then-No. 14 Wisconsin, sending the Badgers into a tailspin.
This time, Purdue (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) hosts Wisconsin (6-0, 3-0), with the winner getting an early leg up in the race for the conference title.
If last year's meeting is any indication, the rest of the season could hinge on the outcome.
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Quarterback Kyle Orton, perhaps the early front-runner for the Heisman Trophy, played a big part in the win that helped the Boilermakers to a New Year's Day bowl game.
Orton completed 38 of 55 passes for 411 yards and a touchdown and led an 82-yard drive in the final three minutes of the game that culminated with Ben Jones' game-winning field goal.
The Badgers came into that game at 5-1, but the loss sent them into a downward spiral in which they lost four of their last five games.
Orton would be only too happy to see that happen again. "I'd love to throw it quite a few times," said Orton, who has thrown for 1,642 yards, a nation-leading 18 touchdowns and just two interceptions this season.
This time, however, the Badgers bring a much stingier defense to the table. Wisconsin is allowing just 6.5 points a game.
